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Columbia is developing technologies that will
generate energy between one and three miles offshore - where the
available wave energy
is greatest. We believe that direct drive systems, which avoid the
use of pneumatic and hydraulic conversion steps, are more efficient,
more reliable and easier to maintain, and are therefore the most
likely to deliver the lowest cost of energy. Our research path
focuses on:
- Point absorbers
- Direct coupling of the wave motion to the generator
- Innovative use of permanent magnets and other highly-efficient
components
- Reducing the number of moving parts
- Minimizing the number of conversion steps and associated losses
Having completed tank testing at OSU, Columbia Power has deployed an intermediate scale
prototype near Seattle and code named SeaRay. The device is tuned to the Puget Sound environment and
is controlled remotely from Corvallis Oregon. Sea trials (click
here for video) will continue through the spring of 2011. :
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